The purpose of this study is to evaluate if the combination of Lpv/r monotherapy and anti-HCV drugs does not match with additional toxicity induced by the association of HAART and Peg-IFN + ritonavir in patients naive for HIV and HCV.

Secondary objective is to assess if Lpv/r monotherapy during HCV-treatment is associated with HIV efficacy vs optimized HAART.

LPV/r + selected NRTIs for 26 weeks, followed by LPV/r monotherapy and anti HCV drugs for 48 weeks. All the patients will be followed-up for 24 weeks after the end of anti-HCV drugs for the evaluation of SVR.As anti-HCV drugs the patients will receive PEG-IFNa 2a 180 mcg/week + Ribavirin 1-1.2 g/day . At the end of week 12 of combined therapy, only patients who will reach an early virological response will continue anti-HCV drugs.

LPV/r+ selected NRTIs for 24 weeks, followed by the same HAART and anti-HCV drugs for 48 weeks. At the end of the co-treatment for HCV/HIV, each subject will be treated for HIV infection according to physician decision. All the patients will be followed-up for 24 weeks after the end of anti-HCV drugs for the evaluation of SVR.As anti-HCV drugs the patients will receive PEG-IFNa 2a 180 mcg/week + Ribavirin 1-1.2 g/day . At the end of week 12 of combined therapy, only patients who will reach an early virological response will continue anti-HCV drugs.

This is a pilot, randomised, open label, controlled clinical trial. All eligible patients (CD4 count > 200 and no PI resistance)will receive 26 weeks induction HAART (LPV/r + selected NUCS). At the end of induction period (Phase I), all subjects with negative HIV-RNA from at least two months, Hb > 11 g/dL and CD4 count > 350 cells/mmc will be randomised (1:1), to receive LPV/r new tabs (200/50 mg, 2 cpr BID) monotherapy (arm A) or to continue the same HAART (arm B), associated to anti-HCV therapy for other 48 weeks (Phase II). The number of subjects to recruit will be 60 subjects to start the induction-phase with the aim to randomize, at least 25 subjects in each arm of the study. The total number of subjects to randomize will be 50. The Group A: will receive LPV/r + selected NRTIs for 26 weeks, followed by LPV/r monotherapy and anti HCV drugs for 48 weeks. Group B: will receive LPV/r+ selected NRTIs for 24 weeks, followed by the same HAART and anti-HCV drugs for 48 weeks. At the end of the co-treatment for HCV/HIV, each subject will be treated for HIV infection according to physician decision.All the patients will be followed-up for 24 weeks after the end of anti-HCV drugs for the evaluation of SVR.As anti-HCV drugs the patients will receive PEG-IFNa 2a 180 mcg/week + Ribavirin 1-1.2 g/day . At the end of week 12 of combined therapy, only patients who will reach an early virological response will continue anti-HCV drugs.

Subject has any cause of liver disease other than chronic hepatitis C, status of liver decompensation or any other condition consistent with decompensated liver disease (bleeding from esophageal varices, signs of current bleeding, significant ascites, hepatic encephalopathy)

Subject is alcohol abuser (> 30 gr/die)

Prior treatment with PEG-IFN/ribavirin

Illicit drugs abuse that in the opinion of the investigator could lead to poor compliance with the terms of the protocol (maintenance treatment with methadone allowed)

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Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00437476